University of
Technology, Jamaica
Faculty of Education
and Liberal Studies
School of Technology
and Vocational Education
Course: Architectural drawing 2
Paper: Assignment 2
Lecturer:
Author: Delroy Garrison
Remarks:
“Success doesn't necessarily come from breakthrough ideas but from
flawless execution”.
Building component
selected
The transaction desk/counter
in the student union building at the University of Technology, Jamaica
Engineering analysis
Picture 1. Showing transaction desk in
the UTECH student union office
Problem/issue with
current design
There
were several issues identified with the current design of this piece of office
furniture as it relates to its operational function in the student union
office. The .some identifiable issues are as follows:
Ø Minimal kick (toe room) at the base of the counter on the customer’s side
Ø Inadequate shelving
Ø Little to no use made of space under desk (work area) which creates room
for storing other items in
Ø Lack of designated storage spaces such as, drawers, CPU accommodation or
key board base.
Ø Notices and informational posters pasted to the transaction counter are
damages and dirtied soon after it is place there
Ø The counter lacks aesthetic appeal
Picture 3. Showing transaction desk in
the UTECH student union office
The staff being ‘Jamaican’
still manage to get their work done on and around this desk/counter every day;
paying little to no regard to these seemingly design trivial issues. Customer
service counters are transaction-based work areas where information is shared
and or transactions occur between people on both sides of a work surface. The
design of the space must allow for accessibility for customers while
incorporating critical workstation design elements to keep staff safe, i.e.
adjustability of the work surface and computer monitor, as well as shallower
counters to allow for shorter reaches when handing items back and forth to the
customers. Customer service counters are often the focal point when entering a
building or department and additional aesthetic criteria may apply.
The guidelines (as given by
http://www.uhs.berkeley.edu/facstaff/ergonomics/ergoatwork.shtml) are divided
into two types of customer service counters:
1) Type A:
Main customer service counters, which have workstations for multiple staff and
have frequent interactions with customers.
2) Type B:
Smaller customer service counters, which have assigned workstations for 1-2
staff and typically have less usage than larger customer service counters.
These design guidelines are used by architects,
project managers, interior designers and others involved in retrofits/remodels
and new construction projects.
Staff desk requirements
1.
Height
Ø Height-adjustable workstation with height range of 24-32 inches
2.
Depth
Ø 17” depth (minimum) and 22”depth (maximum) in the area where customer
interactions occur, at least 24” depth in the corner for the computer monitor
and under-counter storage units can be attached to the work surface but should
allow for full height adjustability of the table. If the storage units are mobile they should
not exceed 22 inches in height for the adjustable table.
3. Width
Ø Minimum unobstructed horizontal knee space clearance of 30 inches under
computer workstation and under customer service counter,
Ø Minimum width of 28 inches on work surface for placement of keyboard and
mouse, adequate desk width for all other frequently-used work tools, including
telephone, supplies, and equipment.
Ø Adequate unobstructed width under
the desk to allow legroom for the employee while they are using their work
tools.
Customer transaction
counter requirements:
Ø Directly in front of or adjacent to the side of the employee’s primary work
area
Ø Maximum height of 40 inches
Ø Maximum depth of 10 inches for customer transaction counters to minimize
reach during transactions.
The reengineered
version
This new design uses similar
dimensions however there were some additions, adjustments made to enhance
design, function and ergonomics. For this reengineered design information was
retrieved and used from Anthropometric Databases. “Anthropometric datasets compare people of
different ages and occupations. Data in anthropometric databases may represent
static dimensions, such as ‘lower leg length’ or functional dimensions such as
‘reach’.” (Dul and Weerdmeester, 2003)
Table 1. Anthropometric
measurements (including allowances for clothing) of small and large males and
females, from BIFMA Ergonomics Guidelines, 2002. All measurements are in inches
Figure 3 with Table
1 show the ranges of measurements used in office furniture re-design
“The word ergonomics comes from two Greek words: ERGO: meaning work and NOMOS: meaning laws” (Chaffi, Andersson, and Martin, 1999). Ergonomics is a science focused on the study
of human fit, and decreased fatigue and discomfort through product design.
Ergonomics applied to this office furniture redesign requires taking into
consideration how the products being reengineered will fit the people that are
using it. “At work, at school, or at home, when products fit the user, the
result can be more comfort, higher productivity, and less stress” (Dreyfuss, Tilley and Alvin, 2002). Ergonomics was an integral part of this new
design taking into consideration, intended function, aesthetic appeal. “Knowing
how the study of anthropometry, posture, repetitive motion, and workspace
design affects the user is critical to a better understanding of ergonomics as
they relate to end-user needs” (BIFMA, 2002). This reference explain
why I chose this component, that is, Some of the human factors that were
observed when transacting business in the office area; seeing a need to apply
ergonomic product design.
Figure 4 with Table 1 show the ranges of measurements
used in office furniture re-design
Conclusion
Many of the items in today’s world (products and
spaces) are created by; engineers, and designers to be more ergonomic for the
user and increase user comfort. Others can use this tool for general
information and guidelines on ergonomics and design. There was no shortage of
references to be consulted in obtain information on these topics. This project
is an example of one of the many functions and uses of this kind of data.
References
BIFMA International, Ergonomics Guidelines for VDT
(Video Display Terminal) Furniture Used
in Office Workspaces. Document G1-2002. February 28, 2002. Pdf version retrieved, October 19, 2016 from; www.ergonomics.org.au/downloads/EA_Journals/2011_Conference
Chaffi n, D.,
Andersson, G.B.J., Martin, B. Occupational
Biomechanics, Third Edition. New York:
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1999. Pdf version retrieved, October 19, 2016 from; www.seas.columbia.edu/earth/wtert/sofos/nawtec/nawtec08/nawte
Department of Justice,
Code of Federal Regulations: ADA Standards
for Accessible Design. 28 CFR, Part
36. July 1, 1994. Pdf version retrieved, October 19, 2016 from; www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-industrial-ergonomics
Dul, J. and
Weerdmeester, B. Ergonomics for Beginners:
A Quick Reference, Second Edition. London:
Taylor & Francis, 2003. Pdf version retrieved, October 19, 2016 from; https://www.elsevier.com/journals/...journal-of...ergonomics/
Henry Dreyfuss
Associates and Tilley, Alvin R. The
Measure of Man and Woman, Revised Edition.
New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2002. Pdf version retrieved, October 19,
2016 from; www. Sage. Org/pdf/journals/
No comments:
Post a Comment